The Yankees are losing their grip on a postseason berth, suggesting any moves this trading period will diverge from a limited, yet costly, starting pitching market. Rentals are not a good idea and the controllable pitchers might require the Yankees to relinquish more from the farm system than they would desire.

The only thing we can say with some certainty is that Jordan Montgomery and Luis Severino will have slots available to them in the Yankees' rotation in 2018. Michael Pineda and CC Sabathia are free agents at the end of the season, while Masahiro Tanaka can opt out of his deal as well.

My guess is the Yankees will veer from Pineda. As for Sabathia, he could be a last-minute addition to the rotation as a No. 5 starter. Sabathia has certainly showed enough to be on the mound next season -- 3.81 ERA in 78 innings. Whether it's with the Yankees will be based on Sabathia's health and performance in the second half.

Two weeks ago it would have been easy to argue that Tanaka would be unwise to opt out of his deal. He's made three starts since and looks much like the pitcher who finished tied for seventh in the American League Cy Young voting in 2016.

If Tanaka keeps the upswing going, he could once again be a candidate to pitch elsewhere. The Yankees would have to think long and hard about him. Ignoring potential elbow issues and a long swoon this season would be a mistake.

The Yankees have been linked to controllable pitchers like Gerrit Cole, Sonny Gray, and Jose Quintana as the trade deadline approaches. While none of those pitchers are performing to their abilities, there is a chance they will be moved at the trade deadline -- so we'll avoid discussing them within this exercise.

The Yankees' roster construction of late has been reliant on players within their system. This makes Chance Adams an early favorite for a spot in the 2018 rotation. Adams could get the call this season if someone completely falters or falls to injury.

MLB Pipeline ranks Adams, who was drafted in the fifth round in the 2015 MLB First-Year Player Draft, as the Yankees' No. 7 prospect. In 52 2/3 innings since his promotion to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Adams (6-2) owns a 2.39 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and .167 BAA with 58 strikeouts and 19 walks. He sports a 2.09 ERA in 250 1/3 minor league innings.

Another organizational top-10 prospect in the Yankees system is Justus Sheffield. The right-hander is throwing well for Double-A Trenton -- 3.15 ERA in 86 IP -- but there is a good deal of development left. Sheffield has a shot to be a factor during the 2018 season, but I'm not certain it will be out of spring training.

One "non-prospect" pitcher in the Yankees system who is not being talked about is Caleb Smith, who turns 26 in July and leads the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders with an 8-0 record. Smith, a 14th round pick in the 2013 draft, has a 2.07 ERA, .201 BAA, and 1.00 WHIP with 86 strikeouts and 24 walks in 87 innings this season. He is a long-shot, but shouldn't be ignored.

The Yankees also have some familiar hurlers ready to make a statement next season -- Luis Cessa, Chad Green, and Bryan Mitchell. Each of these pitchers has been involved in recent rotation competitions and have made a number of starts for the big league club.

Cessa took the turns in the rotation for Sabathia when he was on the disabled list. Cessa seems better suited to be a long reliever and has performed well in the role for the Yanks (4 2/3 shutout innings relieving Sabathia in Tuesday's loss).

Green would need to find and master a third pitch -- much like Severino did this past offseason -- to get consideration. The organization could just as easily utilize Green in the bullpen as his stuff plays up as a reliever.

Mitchell is becoming a mystery. He's had his moments as a starter, but he's also succeeded in the bullpen. He has also disappointed. Mitchell does not seem to be high on the Yankees' pecking order at the moment, which could mean he's not in the plans.

Admittedly, of the current farmhands, only Adams profiles to be a legit answer for the 2018 rotation. One or two of the others could surprise, but the fact is the Yankees might be ready next season to make the next step and they would like to have at least one more top arm.

The market is, well, thin. That said, the Yankees will have the money to dip into free agency if they choose. Further, the offseason trade market is too difficult to diagnose now.

That leads us back to Tanaka, Pineda and Sabathia. Would it be so hard to see the Yankees maintain one or even two of them? I don't think it is out of the question. Maybe Tanaka's market will not be as lofty as expected, or he decides to stick around. Tanaka remains in his prime and could still be the anchor of the staff.

Pineda is a frustrating enigma for sure, however the Yankees might feel he's a better option than other free agents. As mentioned earlier, Sabathia might be considered as a No. 5 starter.

I could see the Yankees running this rotation out in 2018 -- Tanaka or Darvish, Severino, Montgomery, Adams, and Sabathia. They will want a proven ace and Tanaka or Darvish fits the bill. If Sabathia falters, the Yankees can hope Sheffield is ready or that someone else steps up by midseason.

In essence, the Yankees do not have obvious options for the 2018 rotation, which could mean they have to rely on the potent offense once again to carry a majority of the load until other choices inside or outside the organization emerge.

Yankees' AL East rivals could be in play for free agent Dallas Keuchel: report

No, it is not the Boston Red Sox

By John Healy | 11:00AM

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Oct 16, 2018; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) walks off the mound after the third out in the first inning of game three of the 2018 ALCS playoff baseball series against the Boston Red Sox at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports (Troy Taormina)

The Yankees could face some competition in bidding for free agent pitcher Dallas Keuchel from a division rival, but this time it does not appear to be the Boston Red Sox.

Yankees-Royals rained out, split doubleheader on Saturday

Rain washed away Yankees-Royals on Friday

May 24 | 6:57PM

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New York Yankees relief pitcher Chad Green delivers a pitch during the sixth inning of the continuation of a suspended baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Monday, June 18, 2018, in Washington. This game is a continuation of a suspended game from May 15. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) (AP)

The Yankees were set to open their three-game series with the Royals on Friday, but Mother Nature had other plans.

Over an hour before first pitch was scheduled, the Yankees and Royals announced that Friday's game had been postponed. The two teams will play a split doubleheader on Saturday.

Tonight's game in Kansas City has been postponed. It has been rescheduled for tomorrow (Saturday) as the nightcap to a split doubleheader, with Game 1 scheduled for 2:15p ET and Game 2 scheduled for 8:15p ET.

Madison Bumgarner should have Yankees' attention after latest outing

Giants southpaw showing he can still be difference-maker

San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner delivers a pitch against the New York Yankees in the second inning at Oracle Park. (Cary Edmondson/USA TODAY Sports)

Let the Madison Bumgarner sweepstakes begin in earnest after the Giants' lefty delivered the most compelling reason this season to believe that he can still be an October difference-maker for any number of teams, the Yankees obviously being one of them.

More than ever the belief around baseball is the Giants are going to trade Bumgarner come July to kick off a needed rebuild. The question for weeks has been how much teams would be willing to give up as his stuff seemed diminished by age and two injury-plagued seasons.

Against the Braves on Thursday afternoon, however, Bumgarner's fastball, cutter, and curveball were crisp enough to produce 17 swings-and-misses, his highest such total since September of 2016, when he was a few weeks away from slamming the door shut on the Mets' postseason with a four-hit shutout in the wild-card game.

'Dude, we're good': Yankees' fill-ins continue to play vital role

Yankees 9-1 in last 10 games

May 24 | 10:43AM

New York Yankees right fielder Clint Frazier hits a three-run home run during the fifth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. (Tommy Gilligan/USA TODAY Sports)

The Yankees don't have Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Miguel Andujar or Didi Gregorius, a group that combined for 119 home runs last year.

And still, they're finding ways to win ... win a lot.

"These guys, the focus each and every day is on the game and playing winning baseball, and everyone kind of pulling their weight, and the mantra of come in and do your job," manager Aaron Boone said, according to ESPN's Coley Harvey. "They've really taken to that, and a lot of them really well."

The Yankees need rotation depth, and the time is fast approaching when they'll have to make a decision as to the route they'll take to secure it.

The Yankees lost another rotation member Tuesday, when the club placed CC Sabathia on the 10-day injured list due to pain in his surgically repaired right knee. The Yankees are already down staff ace Luis Severino. And while James Paxton is close to returning from an injury of his own, he's not exactly the poster child for health.

Aaron Boone: Yankees 'won in a lot of different ways in this four-game series'

By Alex Smith | May 23 | 6:54PM

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone looks on against the St. Louis Cardinals at George M. Steinbrenner Field. (Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports)

Fresh off of a four-game sweep of the Orioles in Baltimore, Yankees manager Aaron Boone lauded his team's ability to find different ways to win.

"Anytime you can get four games, that doesn't happen very often," Boone told YES Network after the Yankees' 6-5 win on Thursday. "We won in a lot of different ways in this four-game series, so it was good to see, but the guys played until the end each and every day, and [it's] a good way to get on the plane."

Boone's starting lineup on Thursday didn't include Gleyber Torres or Gary Sanchez, the two players who have absolutely scorched Baltimore pitching this year. Still though, both players managed to play a big role in the win. In a 5-5 tie in the ninth inning, Torres drew a pinch-hit walk, and Sanchez followed it up with a pinch hit single. Torres would eventually score the game's winning run on a walk by Aaron Hicks.

Masahiro Tanaka, Yankees aim for four-game sweep against Orioles

Yankees have won eight straight vs. O's

May 23 | 10:30AM

New York Yankees starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka delivers a pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning at Yankee Stadium. (Andy Marlin/USA TODAY Sports)

The Yankees (31-17, 2.0 GA in AL East) aim for a four-game sweep when they face the Baltimore Orioles (15-34, 16.5 GB) on Thursday at 12:35 p.m. at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

Yankees notes

In 11 games as a team, the Yankees are hitting .298 with 34 home runs against the Orioles this year. They have also scored 80 runs against Baltimore. ... DJ LeMahieu has four straight multi-hit games, as he is 9-for-18 with two home runs and four RBIs in that span. ... The Yankees' plus-60 run differential ranks fifth in the majors, trailing only the Dodgers (plus-62), Cubs (plus-63), Twins (plus-81) and Astros (plus-94). ... New York has won eight straight games against Baltimore.

How Yankees' new offense approach has worked through injuries this season

Despite fewer homers, Yanks are succeeding with runners on

By Tom Krosnowski | May 22 | 9:43PM

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May 17, 2019; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees third baseman Gio Urshela (29) celebrates after hitting a walk off single in the ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports (Noah K. Murray)

The 2019 Yankees offense isn't your father's Yankees offense.

This year's squad ranks seventh league-wide in both runs and home runs - not bad, but not quite what the team was expecting coming into the year. After injuries to sluggers Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Didi Gregorius and Miguel Andujar, among others, it's understandable that the Yankees' offense would see a decline in the power department.

The Yankees (30-17, 2.0 GA in AL East) set out to continue their dominance against the Baltimore Orioles (15-33, 15.5 GB) on Wednesday at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

Yankees notes

Gary Sanchez has feasted on Orioles' pitching in 2019, slamming eight home runs against Baltimore, six of which have come at Camden Yards. ... Clint Frazier bounced out of a 6-40 slump with two home runs against the Orioles on Tuesday, his seventh and eighth long balls of the season. ... DJ LeMahieu remains an absolute hitting machine for the Bronx Bombers, as his three hits last night now give him an AL-best 18 multi-hit games on the season.

The Yankees announced Wednesday that Stanton was returned from his rehab assignment because of "mild strain of the left calf," as manager Aaron Boone put it. He remains on the injured list, and Boone added he will be shut down for a week to 10 days.

Stanton and Boone have both said they believe his strain came from being hit by a pitch during a live batting practice session last Thursday...

Yankees takeaways from Tuesday's 11-4 win over Orioles

Clint Frazier launches two homers to break out of slump

May 21, 2019; Baltimore, MD, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Clint Frazier (77) celebrates with second baseman Gleyber Torres (25) and center fielder Aaron Hicks (31) after hitting a three run home run in the fifth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports (Tommy Gilligan)

The Yankees came back to beat the Orioles 10-7 in a messy game Monday at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. >> Box score

Five takeaway's from Monday's game

1) The Yankees, down 6-1 at one point, scored seven unanswered runs from the sixth inning onward, scoring five of those runs off of Orioles closer Mychal Givens. The big blow was Gary Sanchez's two-out, three-run home run that gave the Yankees the lead. For Sanchez, it was his 13th home run of the season; he now has 26 RBIs on the season.

Here's why Giancarlo Stanton was held out of Tuesday's rehab game

Stanton felt calf/knee soreness after getting hit by pitch in BP

May 21 | 10:29PM

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Mar 8, 2019; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Giancarlo Stanton (27) is congratulated by teammates as he hits a 2-run home run during the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports (Kim Klement)

There was only good news coming from Giancarlo Stanton's rehab down in Tampa to start this week, but then it was seen he was held out of another rehab game on Tuesday.

Multiple reports found out why following the Yankees' win over the Orioles tonight, stating Stanton felt calf/knee soreness after getting hit by a pitch during batting practice. Manager Aaron Boone called it "precautionary" that he was held out, and said he may be able to play in Wednesday night's game.

This news came after a report from SNY's Andy Martino that said Stanton could return to the Yankees this weekend if all went well down in Tampa. It is unknown whether or not that has since been pushed back due to this situation.

James Paxton is headed to Tampa in what could be the final step of his rehab process.

After a successful bullpen session, Paxton is scheduled to toss a simulated game on Friday down in Tampa. If all goes well, YES Network's Meredith Marakovits said on Tuesday night's broadcast that the Yankees would likely activate him afterward.

Marakovits spoke to Paxton after the bullpen, and he said he felt "next to nothing" on the left knee that has kept him out since May 4. That wasn't the case on Sunday when he still felt some discomfort, so this is a step in the right direction.

The Yankees (29-17, 1.0 GA in AL East) continue their four-game series against the Baltimore Orioles (15-32, 14.5 GB) on Tuesday at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

Yankees notes

Gleyber Torres has been a thorn in the side of the Orioles all season, bashing eight home runs while hitting .486 against Baltimore pitching. ... DJ LeMahieu has now recorded 17 multi-hit games this season, including a two-hit performance last night. ... Gary Sanchez has clubbed 13 home runs (tied for fifth-most in the AL) in just 113 at-bats this season.

Gleyber Torres is having a ridiculously good season. Against the Orioles, though, his numbers are almost impossible to believe. Almost as impossible to believe as the fact that Baltimore keeps pitching to him.

After clubbing two homers against the Orioles during Monday night's win, Torres is hitting .486/.538/.1.257 against the O's with three doubles, eight homers, and 10 RBI.

That means that of Torres' 10 homers this season, 80 percent (!) have come against Baltimore.

New York selected the contract of right-hander David Hale from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and optioned Nestor Cortes Jr. following Monday's game. To make room for Hale on the 25-man roster, they transferred third baseman Miguel Andújar to the 60-day injured list.

Hale was 3-1 with a 4.11 ERA in six starts for the RailRiders this season. He went at least five innings and allowed three earned runs or fewer in each outing but his last, when he surrendered five earned runs on eight hits over three innings against Indianapolis.

The Yankees came back to beat the Orioles 10-7 in a messy game Monday at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. >> Box score

Five takeaway's from Monday's game

1) The Yankees, down 6-1 at one point, scored seven unanswered runs from the sixth inning onward, scoring five of those runs off of Orioles closer Mychal Givens. The big blow was Gary Sanchez's two-out, three-run home run that gave the Yankees the lead. For Sanchez, it was his 13th home run of the season; he now has 26 RBIs on the season.

First-place Yankees open four-game road series against Orioles

Happ starts as Torres, Urshela look to stay hot

May 20 | 5:14PM

New York Yankees pitcher J.A. Happ pitches in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium. (Wendell Cruz/USA TODAY Sports)

The Yankees (28-17, 0.5 GA in AL East) begin a four-game series against the Baltimore Orioles (15-31, 13.5 GB) on Monday at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

Yankees notes

Gleyber Torres is hitting .400/.455/.800 with three home runs and five RBIs over his last eight games. ... Yankees relievers have a 3.28 ERA in the month of May, which ranks 11th in the majors. ... Since April 26, Gio Urshela is slashing .397/.435/.534 with one home run and 11 RBIs.

Jonathan Loaisiga, RHP (No. 2, MLB No. 59) -- ETA 2019

Loaisiga was placed on the injured list (now shifted to the 60-day list) with a strained right shoulder. Loaisiga, who has a significant injury history, has thrown 14 innings with the Yankees to the tune of a 4.50 ERA and another 10 innings for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre recording an ERA of 7.20.

Five Takeaway's from Sunday's game...

1) The Yankees blew open a 5-5 game in the sixth inning with seven runs. The Rays walked five in the inning and Thairo Estrada had the big hit, a three-run double.

2) Chad Green was the opener in this one and, much like the rest of his season, the results were not good. Green allowed two base-runners in the first inning and then coughed up two homers in his second frame. As Green's descent continues, it's a wonder where the Yanks will use him going forward.

Chad Green starts as Yankees look to take series against Rays, Sunday at 1:05 p.m.

Green will serve as the opener

By Danny Abriano | May 19 | 11:47AM

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New York Yankees second baseman DJ LeMahieu is congratulated in the dugout as he scores a run during the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. (Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports)

The Yankees look to jump back into first place when they face the Rays at Yankee Stadium on Sunday at 1:05 p.m.

Yankees notes

The Yankees are using Chad Green as an opener one year after the Rays began their opener experiment. ... DJ LeMahieu leads off for the Yankees, while Kendyrs Morales is in there as the DH, hitting fifth.

The Yankees were unable to duplicate Friday's magic and fell against the Rays in 11 innings on Saturday, 2-1. >> Box score

Six Takeaway's from Friday's game...

1) Luke Voit led off the bottom of the 11th with a single to try and get another rally going against Jose Alvarado, but Gary Sanchez hit into a game-ending double play while Luis Cessa allowed a one-out solo home run to Austin Meadows in the top of the 11th as the difference in the game.

Yankees' Mashiro Tanaka talks about status after leaving game due to injury

The right-hander was cruising through Rays lineup with six shutout innings

May 18 | 5:15PM

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Tanaka hurt in loss00:00:36

Masahiro Tanaka comments on the Yandy Diaz comebacker that hit him in the leg and the chances of making his next start

The Yankees had another injury scare on Saturday afternoon.

Masahiro Tanaka was removed from a 1-0 game after six innings with a right shin contusion after he took a Yandy Diaz comebacker off his leg.

The right-hander underwent X-rays which came back "negative," according to the team. After the game, Tanaka told reporters that he doesn't know if he'll be able to make his next start and will wait to see how he feels tomorrow.

The Yankees will look to carry the momentum from Gio Urshela's walk-off single Friday night as they aim to stay atop the AL East over the Rays on Saturday at 1:05 p.m.

Yankees notes

The Yankees are in sole possession of first place in the AL East for the first time since June 26 of last year. ... Urshela's hot bat has him bumped up to the sixth spot after going 3-for-4 with the game-winning hit on Friday. He enters Saturday's game hitting a slash line of .347/.398.500 with two home runs and 16 RBI in 98 plate appearances this season and is hitting .350 with 10 RBI in the month of May. ... Gary Sanchez will get a half-day with the day game after a night game but stays in as a DH with impressive numbers against Snell. Sanchez is 4-for-11 with three of those hits being home runs against the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner.

Despite myriad injuries, the Yanks have taken over first place in the AL East

May 18 | 12:02AM

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(Kim Klement)

Despite being completely decimated by injuries, the Yankees have managed to get contributions from everyone who has been asked to fill a void as they now find themselves atop the AL East. And it's all been a pleasure for owner Hal Steinbrenner to watch.

"Considering the adversity we've faced in the first two months of the season, it's phenomenal the job these guys have done," Steinbrenner told the Associated Press Friday at a Yankees extended spring training game before the big-league club came back in the ninth to defeat the Rays, 4-3, and wrest control of the division.

Bombers open three-game set just .5 game out of division lead

May 17 | 4:52PM

Oct 9, 2018; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres (25) hits a single during the fifth inning in game four of the 2018 ALDS playoff baseball series at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports (Noah K. Murray)

The Yankees open a three-game series against the AL-leading Tampa Bay Rays on Friday at 7:05 p.m. after sweeping the Baltimore Orioles in a doubleheader on Wednesday and taking two of three from last week at Tropicana Field.

Yankees notes

Gleyber Torres enters Friday's game red-hot, blasting three home runs in Wednesday's doubleheader against the Orioles. Torres has gotten a hit in 17 of his last 18 games and is hitting .352/.387/.606 with four home runs and 11 RBI in that span. ... Gary Sanchez is also coming off a strong performance in which he collected two hits, including his team-leading 12th home run.

Why Yankees' Clint Frazier is understanding of being pulled for defense

Frazier has been pulled in three of past five games

May 17 | 10:31AM

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New York Yankees left fielder Clint Frazier attempts a diving catch on a hit by Seattle Mariners catcher Omar Narvaez during the eighth inning at Yankee Stadium. (Adam Hunger/USA TODAY Sports)

The Yankees have pulled Clint Frazier three times in the past five games in favor of the team having a stronger defense for the later innings.

And Frazier is more than understanding about it.

"It's the better play, I think," Frazier said, according to NJ Advance Media's Brendan Kuty. "Obviously, I've had some stuff in the past that shouldn't have happened that did. It's not like it's unwarranted, you know?"

The Yankees tried, but didn't succeed in having 3B Miguel Andujar avoid season-ending surgery on his torn labrum in his right shoulder.

After suffering another tear following his extensive rehab, Andujar just didn't seem right when he returned to the Yanks, and an MRI revealing another small labrum tear explained why. So Andujar opted for season-ending surgery that will be performed by Dr. Christopher Ahmad on Monday.

This is not what the Yankees wanted to see from their young third baseman, who was the AL Rookie of the Year runner-up a season ago. GM Brian Cashman and manager Aaron Boone praised the development of Andujar being key for the Yankees' future all offseason, and he was a main reason why the team was "lukewarm" on Manny Machado in free agency.

Yankees Takeaways from 3-1 win over Orioles to sweep doubleheader

Domingo German shows continued success over seven innings

By Chris Carelli | May 15 | 9:35PM

After the Yankees swept the Orioles in a double header, Aaron Boone addressed Andujar's season-ending surgery.

The Yankees beat the Orioles, 5-3, in the first game of today's doubleheader at Yankee Stadium. >> Box score

Six Takeaways from Wednesday's game...

1 ) Domingo German held the Orioles to one run in seven innings of work, his longest outing of the season. German scattered six hits, walked one batter and struck out eight. He is now 8-1 (MLB-best eight wins) with a 2.50 ERA, as he continues to be the best starter in the Yankees rotation.

Miguel Andujar to have season-ending labrum surgery

The Yankees have tried avoiding this scenario all season

New York Yankees third baseman Miguel Andujar throws out a runner against the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium. (Wendell Cruz/USA TODAY Sports)

It was the scenario the Yankees didn't want to see occur, but it finally became the only option.

The team announced on Wednesday night that Miguel Andujar will undergo surgery to repair the torn labrum in his right shoulder. It will be on Monday with Dr. Christopher Ahmad performing the surgery at New York-Presbyterian Hospital.

Andujar initially saw the injury arise at the beginning of the season, where he only played in three games before hitting the Injured List. While and MRI revealed a torn labrum, the Yankees believed he could rehab it cautiously so they could avoid surgery.

Yankees go for doubleheader sweep of Orioles, Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

Domingo German gets the start

May 15 | 5:45PM

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New York Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres scores a run on a hit by third baseman DJ LeMahieu against the Baltimore Orioles during the fourth inning at Yankee Stadium. (Gregory Fisher/USA TODAY Sports)

After beating the Orioles in Game 1 of their doubleheader, the Yankees go for the sweep on Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m.

Yankees notes

Aaron Hicks, who was set to make his season debut Monday after missing the first 40 games with a back injury,.is in the lineup. ... Luke Voit's struggles continued in Game 1, with him now hitless in his past 21 at-bats after going 0-for-4.

Yankees Takeaways from 5-3 win over Orioles in Game 1 of doubleheader

Homer-happy Yanks launched four big flies, with Torres having two

By Chris Carelli | May 15 | 5:42PM

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May 15, 2019; New York, NY, USA; New York Yankees shortstop Gleyber Torres (25) hits a solo home run against the Baltimore Orioles during the fourth inning of game one of a doubleheader at Yankees Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports (Andy Marlin)

The Yankees beat the Orioles, 5-3, in the first game of today's doubleheader at Yankee Stadium. >> Box score

Five Takeaways from Wednesday's game...

1 ) J.A. Happ allowed a first-inning home run and another run in the second and fourth innings. Happ's two homers allowed give him 11 for the season, placing him with the second-most in the league, behind Orioles starter David Hess. Happ left with the lead with one out in the sixth inning is now 3-3 on the season with a 4.44 ERA.

After two rainouts, the Yankees are set to play Wednesday for the first time since Sunday, with Game 1 of a scheduled single-admission doubleheader set for 3:05 p.m.

Yankees notes

Aaron Hicks, who was set to make his season debut Monday after missing the first 40 games with a back injury, is not in the Game 1 lineup. He'll likely start in center field in Game 2. Brett Gardner is in center while Mike Tauchman, who was called up to be the Yankees' 26th man for the doubleheader, begins Game 1 in left field. ... DJ LeMahieu is on fire as the Yankees' leadoff hitter. Over his last 14 games, he's 23-for-54 (.426) with one homer, four doubles, 11 RBI, five walks, 10 runs and two stolen bases.

Aaron Boone struggled during a Tuesday afternoon news conference to describe Giancarlo Stanton's shoulder injury, but the Yankees remain unconcerned about Stanton's health, and consider him to be progressing.

According to people familiar with the situation, Stanton's shoulder discomfort -- which the team called a shoulder strain shortly after Boone was unable to name the injury -- is not serious enough to prevent him from facing live pitching in Tampa.

If he continues in this vein with no setbacks, he should be in extended spring training games in a week or so, then would begin a rehab assignment.

When Domingo German stepped on the mound as a Yankee in 2018, the talent and the hint of potential success in the big leagues was evident. However, German failed to consistently deliver positive results and eventually fell out of favor down the stretch.

None of that matters to the Yankees now because it is clear that German gained valuable experience from all those major-league reps.

Yankees game vs. Orioles postponed second straight day

Tuesday's game will be made up in day-night doubleheader on Aug. 12

May 14 | 5:50PM

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General view of a tarp on the field as the scoreboard at Yankee Stadium informs fans of a rain delay before a game between the New York Yankees and the Kansas City Royals. (Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports)

Another day, another washout for the Yankees.

Tuesday's game against the Orioles was postponed due to inclement weather, a day after they postponed Monday's game against Baltimore due to unplayable field conditions.

The team will make up Tuesday's game as part of a day-night doubleheader on Aug. 12, beginning at 1:05 p.m. and will play a single-admission doubleheader on Wednesday to make up Monday night's postponement.

Gio Urshela, the surprise star of this season, may personify the success of the next-man-up Yankees, but even with all of his big hits, he's not the team MVP to this point. D.J. LeMahieu owns that unofficial title, so clutch and consistent that his play prompts an intriguing question:

Could a non-slugger win the AL MVP Award in this launch-angle era when the only way most hitters even consider beating the infield shift is by going over it -- way over it?

What Jonathan Loaisiga's IL stint means for Yankees starting rotation

The right-hander will be shut down with no throwing for four weeks

By John Healy | May 13 | 4:41PM

Andy Martino gives an update for what's next for the Yankees and their search for a starters, is Bumgarner or Kecuhel more plausible.

The Yankees' starting rotation took another hit on Monday when they placed Jonathan Loaisiga on the 10-day IL with a right rotator cuff strain.

Loaisiga will but shut down for four weeks with no throwing and joins left-hander James Paxton, whom he was replacing in the rotation, as well as ace Luis Severino among the Yankees starters on the IL.

Paxton is making progress and will throw a bullpen session on Tuesday and the Yankees have suggested he would not spend more than three weeks on the IL.

By John Healy | May 13 | 2:04PM

Brian Cashman has been a real "pain in the a--" for other GMs around baseball, at least according to Oakland Athletics executive vice president Billy Beane.

Beane told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic on Monday that he used to tease Cashman that the Yankees GM wanted to run the Bronx Bombers like a small-market team. Now, through the first 40 games of the 2019 season, it certainly feels like Cashman has gotten that chance.

Despite opening the season with a $203 million payroll, the Yankees have weathered the storm of an incredible amount of injuries to star players to a 24-16 record, sitting just a half-game out of the AL East lead.